Virginia Maritime Accident Attorneys Represent Victims

Winning damages for boating injuries caused by commercial craft

As a coastal state, Virginia has an active commercial shipping and maritime transportation industry. Many Virginians also enjoy recreational boating on a variety of vessels, from yachts to jet skis. With this high level of maritime traffic, accidents frequently occur. When commercial vessels inflict personal injury and property damage, victims have the right to seek compensation. The maritime injury attorneys at Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax have ample experience successfully pursuing these claims.

Common causes of maritime accidents in Virginia waters

Whether you are seeking compensation for a personal injury, property damage or both after a maritime accident, you must establish that a defendant is at fault. This means presenting evidence that, more likely than not, someone connected with the commercial vessel was negligent — that is, not adhering to the proper standard of care — and that their negligence caused the accident.

Possible reasons for a commercial vessel causing a maritime accident include the following:

• Mechanical failure — Commercial vessels are held to a standard of seaworthiness. Unfortunately, companies may send a vessel into service even if maintenance is overdue or has been performed inadequately. A mechanical failure can cripple a ship’s navigation, putting it at the mercy of the current and jeopardizing other vessels and structures in its path.
• Operator error — We expect commercial vessel operators to exercise prudent judgment, putting safety above all other considerations. Unfortunately, operators of commercial vessels are prone to human failings, which include aggressive operation, unwarranted risk-taking, substance abuse fatigue and inattentiveness. Moreover, operators may have been given substandard training, which leaves them with insufficient knowledge to react to unforeseen dangers.
• Weather — Commercial vessel operators should “keep a weather eye out” at all times. Today’s technology, combined with accurate up-to-the-minute forecasting, makes it easy to follow storm patterns and take necessary precautions. Choosing to operate a vessel in unsafe conditions can be evidence of negligence.

Our maritime injury attorneys consult with accident reconstruction experts to determine the precise causes of accidents. This enables us to identify possible defendants from whom we can demand appropriate compensation for our clients.

Types of maritime accidents and injuries in Virginia waters

Maritime traffic must follow safety protocols similar to the rules of the road that motorists follow. When vessel operators do not obey these rules, a variety of accidents can occur, producing injuries and property damage. 

Common maritime accident in Virginia include:

• Collisions of vessels
• Collisions of vessels with fixed objects
• Capsizing of vessels
• Grounding
• Cargo related accidents
• Fires aboard ship

Commercial vessel accidents can inflict serious injuries on vessel passengers, recreational boaters and individuals situated on fixed structures, such as bridges or piers. These accident victims can suffer a multitude of injuries, which can include:

• Bodily trauma
• Crush injuries
• Fall injuries
• Whiplash
• Drowning and near drowning
• Hypothermia and shock
• Burns, scarring and disfigurement

We retain medical experts to ascertain the full extent of your injury, so we can recover the maximum damages possible.

Our maritime injury attorneys represent a variety of plaintiffs, including passengers on ferries, tour boats and fishing vessels, as well as jet skiers, and recreational boaters. These people have been injured in accidents in the Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, the James River, Back River, the Poquoson River, York River, the Potomac River or the Delaware Bay.

Contact our Fairfax lawyers for a free maritime accident consultation 

Pikrallidas & Probasco in Fairfax represents victims of maritime accidents in the coastal waters of Virginia. Call us at 703-267-2600 or contact us online to schedule a free initial consultation.